Manipur: Over 40 youth join hands to clean Loktak Lake, removes two truckloads of waste

A youth-led cleanliness drive at Loktak Lake in Manipur’s Bishnupur district on Sunday, December 14 underscored both the growing commitment of young people to environmental protection and their call for stronger institutional collaboration with government agencies and key stakeholders.

The three-hour drive resulted in the collection of two truckloads of plastic waste and garbage from the banks of the ecologically sensitive freshwater lake, reflecting the capacity of youth groups to contribute meaningfully not only to environmental action but also to the effective implementation of public policy.

More than 40 volunteers took part in the initiative, which was organised by the National Youth Climate Consortium—an initiative of the Bring Back Green Foundation, supported by YuWaah at UNICEF—in collaboration with DESAM and the Moirang Municipal Council. The drive was led by Moirangthem Bidyasagar Singh, a Manipur Fellow of the National Youth Climate Consortium.

Organisers said the cleanup yielded visible results, with large quantities of plastic and non-biodegradable waste removed from the lake’s shoreline. However, they emphasised that the exercise was intended to go beyond symbolic action and highlight the need for systemic, long-term solutions.

Citing the United Nations’ recognition of a safe and healthy environment as a fundamental human right, organisers stressed that sustainable protection cannot rely solely on periodic cleanup drives. “The youth are ready to be active partners in environmental governance. We urge the government to formally engage with us, initiate dialogue, and integrate our energy and on-ground experience into policymaking and implementation,” they said.

The organisers added that while the immediate task was waste removal, young people are equally prepared to contribute to building and sustaining systems that prevent environmental degradation in the first place.

The Loktak Lake cleanup has been projected as a model of community-driven environmental action and a direct appeal for a structured partnership between youth networks and government bodies to ensure the long-term ecological health of one of Manipur’s most vital natural assets.